Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who is now a Dutch citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in the Netherlands
You can live in the Netherlands with the family member whose European citizenship gives you this right, as long as the conditions are met.
Your card is normally valid for 5 years, but you can prove your right to live here without it.
Study in the Netherlands
You can study in the Netherlands, under the usual rules for residents and educational institutions.
Before permanent residence, a study grant or loan is not guaranteed; special exceptions apply to workers, self-employed people and their families.
Work in the Netherlands
You can work for an employer or work for yourself in the Netherlands, without a separate work permit.
Travel with family
Your card helps prove your family relationship and residence right when you travel with or join the family member whose citizenship gives you this right.
It can help you get a visa where one is needed, but you still need a valid passport or other travel document.
Gain permanent residence
After 5 years of continuous lawful residence with your qualifying family member, you gain permanent residence.
Absences of up to 6 months a year normally count, as can one absence of up to 12 months for an important reason.
The permanent card lasts 10 years, or 5 years if you are under 18, and can be renewed.
Access financial support
You can receive equal treatment with Dutch citizens for support within the scope of these rights.
Social assistance may be unavailable for the first 3 months or a longer job-seeking period.
Healthcare, housing, childcare and child-budget benefits depend on your income and the conditions for each benefit.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsDownload the application form
Download the residence document application form for your situation: residence with a Dutch EU family member, or residence with an EU family member for a partner or child.
Find the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Netherlands verification against EU law residence document application form for a child?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the form, or authorise your Dutch family member to apply for you. If you are under 12, your parent with parental authority applies for you.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Netherlands verification against EU law residence document application form for a child?”
Submit your application
Submit your application and required documents through the online service when it is available. You can also apply by post.
Apply onlineSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for verification against EU law for a family member in the Netherlands?”
Pay the fee
Pay the application fee when the IND asks you to, following its payment instructions. If you are under 12, your parent pays for your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for a verification against EU law application in the Netherlands?”
Wait for your letter
Wait for the IND to send a letter after it receives your application. If you are under 12, your parent should watch for the letter.
Find receipt informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “When will I receive a letter after applying for verification against EU law in the Netherlands?”
Get a residence sticker
If you need a residence endorsement sticker, follow the instructions in the IND letter to get one. The sticker and your passport show that you may stay while your application is being considered.
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Book your biometrics appointment
After you receive the IND letter, book an appointment to give your fingerprints, photo and signature. If you are under 12, your parent can book it for you.
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Go to your appointment
Go to the IND desk or service point to give your fingerprints, photo and signature. Bring your valid passport or travel document and your appointment code.
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Wait for the decision
Follow your application in My IND and respond to any requests from the IND; if you are under 12, your parent should do this for you. If the IND refuses your application, object by the deadline in its decision; you can appeal to a court if your objection is rejected.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my verification against EU law application in My IND in the Netherlands?”
Wait for your letter
After approval, wait for the IND letter telling you that you can collect your residence document. If you are under 12, your parent should watch for the letter.
Find collection informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “When can I collect my residence document after approval of verification against EU law in the Netherlands?”
Book a collection appointment
Book an appointment at an IND desk to collect your residence document. If you are under 12, your parent can book it for you.
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Collect your residence document
Collect your residence document from the IND desk. It shows your right to live in the Netherlands under EU law.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my residence document after verification against EU law in the Netherlands?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption documents
Provide your adoption declaration, adoption decision or other official documents or statements showing that your Dutch parent adopted you. The IND may ask for a combination of documents.
Parent's residence records
Provide documents showing how your Dutch parent qualifies under EU free-movement rules. Depending on their situation, these can show their earlier lawful residence in the Netherlands under EU rules, or that you lived together in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland before returning to the Netherlands.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide a copy of your Dutch parent's passport or identity card, including the identity page and any pages with travel stamps. Depending on your parent's situation, also provide evidence of their earlier EU, EEA or Swiss nationality, their naturalisation and any nationality they kept.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and card renewal
Before permanent residence, you must keep qualifying through the family member whose citizenship gives you this right.
They generally must work, be self-employed, or have enough money and full health insurance; some people keep worker status after stopping work.
Renew your card before it expires.
Residence can be lost
Before permanent residence, your right can end if you no longer qualify, live mainly elsewhere or apply for social assistance; fraud can also cause loss.
Expulsion is possible for public order, safety or health reasons; permanent residents have stronger protection.
Permanent residence can end after more than 2 years in a row outside the Netherlands.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Netherlands Visas & Immigration 🇳🇱
English Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas
Request to joinLiving in the Netherlands | Expats & Locals
English Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas
Join on FacebookInburgering A1 (Basisexamen Inburgering)
Facebook group for people living in the Netherlands interested in Dutch visas (Dutch & English)
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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